Going to the dentist for regular checkups can be tedious, we know. But it’s necessary. Oral hygiene is vital for your overall health and neglecting it for long periods of time can result in unnecessary complications.

If you haven’t been to a dentist in a while and start noticing these four symptoms, do yourself a favor and do not ignore them.

We’ve all been told time and time again, since the time our first milk teeth were popping out, to brush our teeth twice a day. Dentists recommend brushing twice a day for at least two minutes for optimal dental health for good reason. Now apart from the obvious benefits of keeping your breath fresh, keeping harmful bacteria from building up and preventing gum infections, good oral hygiene can have positive health benefits for you beyond just your mouth.

Here are three unusual ways brushing your teeth can help you stay healthy!

If you have crooked teeth, then you are already aware of some of the difficulties they present on a daily basis. Struggling to clean between them is often the biggest challenge. Below are issues you may experience if your teeth remain crooked, damaged or misaligned.

Risk Of Decay
When teeth are out of alignment or tightly crowded together, it is very difficult to thoroughly clean away all food particles. Unfortunately, this means that the bacteria left behind greatly increases your risk of tooth decay. [Read more…]

Cosmetic dentistry is sought out by patients for a variety of reasons. Some would like to appear younger, and others would simply like to smile without feeling self-conscious. Whatever the reason you are seeking these services, the physical and mental health benefits of cosmetic dentistry are numerous.

ConfidenceIf you opt for teeth whitening, straightening, or veneers, it could give you a noticeable confidence boost. Walking into a room with a straight, white smile will make you feel way more confident than the alternative. Getting your teeth professionally taken care of will make you feel better all around. [Read more…]

X-rays are an extremely important part of your dental evaluation, and they are vital to proper diagnosis and prevention of disease. The kinds of x-rays needed are based upon your age, your medical history, a thorough examination of the mouth, a TMJ evaluation, and an examination of the health of your gums.

Panorex
A panorex x-ray shows a broad view of the jaw, teeth, sinuses, nasal area and TMJ. It shows problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, infections and fractures.

Bite Wings
Bite wings x-rays show the upper and lower back teeth. These x-rays are used primarily to check for decay between the teeth. They also show bone loss when periodontal disease or a dental infection is present. Most frequently a bite wing is taken on each side of the mouth. [Read more…]

Your dentist may take dental x-rays if your are a new patient, have not been seen in a while, or are in for a follow-up visit after dental treatment. Below are the most common type of x-rays that would be taken and the reasons why:

• Bitewing x-rays help dentists look at bone levels between teeth, cavities between teeth, and the health of the bone between teeth.

• Periapical x-rays help dentists look at the root tips of teeth, the bone around teeth, abscesses, and other pathology.

• Complete Series is a combination of bitewing and periapical radiographs that shows all the teeth, roots and related areas of the jaws.

• Panoramic x-rays help visualize wisdom teeth, TMJ’s, major pathology in the jaws and sinuses, and help see areas of missing teeth. [Read more…]

Maintaining a good bedtime oral hygiene routine is even more important than your daytime one. A lot can happen overnight while you are sleeping. Food debris and bacteria can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums during sleep time, when there is almost no saliva produced to wash away bacteria. Most of us have more time at night to properly clean our teeth, but wait until we are too tired to do so. [Read more…]

If you’ve been dreaming of a beautiful, straight smile, but don’t want to wear braces, then keep reading this blog. We have two alternatives to braces that will get you a straight, beautiful, and flawless smile.

Two Ways To Get A Straight Smile Without Braces!

Traditional braces are a fantastic solution for closing gaps, straightening crooked teeth, and correcting complex issues with bite alignment. But for most of us, metal braces are not practical.

If you are looking to restore your smile, then porcelain veneers are the way to go. They correct chipped, crooked, cracked, stained, and even gapped front teeth. Porcelain veneers resemble your natural teeth. You do not have to implement any special hygiene routines or avoid certain foods to maintain their beauty and function. Although veneers are long lasting, proper hygiene and a little common sense will go a long way to help them last for many years. Here are a few tips you should follow to take care of your veneers.

A bright shining smile is one of the first things we notice about another person. Those gleaming white teeth are the highlight of a smile. Of course, everyone knows that proper dental hygiene is the first step to a beautiful smile. Many people do not know that dental hygiene also plays a pivotal role in the function of almost every other system in the human body. Dental hygiene refers to the overall health and care of the mouth including the teeth, tongue and the gums. Maintaining good dental hygiene is a crucial step in maintaining complete body health.

Brushing your teeth is an ordinary chore in an already busy life. Every morning and every evening we brush our teeth, not knowing how powerful this little ritual is to our overall health.

Not only does that toothbrush and toothpaste combination mechanically remove plaque and germs, but they also play a role in allowing your body to receive all of the nutrition it requires.

The very first step in the digestive process begins with chewing your food. The presence of food and saliva in the mouth after you have eaten are the main factors leading to tooth decay and gum disease. That toothbrush removes the leftover food and helps to clear the teeth and gums. When tooth decay begins, your body can not process nutrients as well as it should. [Read more…]